Published: June 02, 2009 11:31 pm      

General assures 186th ARW

Standing inside the massive hanger of the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field Tuesday morning, many of the wing's personnel held out hope they would hear news concerning more air missions.

Although they were not given any insight into the long-term future of the base in Meridian, they were told by U.S. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, who is the National Guard Bureau Chief and principal advisor to the U.S. Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff, everything is being done to ensure Meridian will have missions.

"I have been provided with excellent briefings on your service here and I've learned a lot," said McKinley as he addressed many of the guardsmen and women after a tour of the base. "I've met many of you, seen the facilities for myself and I want to thank each and every one of you on your fantastic accomplishments."

As important as it was McKinley chose to stop at Key Field for the tour and briefings, the fact remains the MC-12 Project Liberty bridge mission and the soon to arrive C-27 Spartan Joint Cargo follow up mission will have to do for now. Still, National Guard officials on the state and local levels were encouraged after the visit.

"I feel very positive and encouraged that he came and saw with his own eyes what we have here," said 186th Commander Col. Franklin Chalk. "I think the future is secure for missions here."

McKinley, Franklin and Maj. Gen. William Freeman Jr., the adjutant general for the Mississippi National Guard, all agreed the MC-12 and C-27 missions are significant. The main problem with them, especially the C-27 follow up mission, is that delays may cause a gap between when the last of the KC-135 tankers leave and when the first cargo jets arrive.

"We are working hard to eliminate or at least drastically minimize the time between the missions," said McKinley. "We have the support of your adjutant general, local, state, and national political leaders, and many others to make this happen. This is very much a team effort."

The two missions couldn't be more different.

The twin-engine, tubro-prop MC-12 spy planes are the backbone of Project Liberty, a program Defense Secretary Robert Gates began in July 2008. He directed the Air Force to buy 37 commercial planes and equip them with cameras and sensors to track insurgents. The planes, which carry a crew of four, are intended to complement the Predator and Reaper drones that beam video images of insurgent activity to troops in combat and to commanders worldwide by satellite.

The first aircraft arrived at Key Field April 28.

The C-27 Joint Cargo mission is an Army and Marine requirement to better resupply troops in war zones and which will provide the Mississippi National Guard a similar capability during disasters at home.

U.S. Rep. Greg Harper, who was on hand to show his support of the 186th ARW, said McKinley appeared very impressed with the base and its personnel.

"He is on our team," Harper said in terms of McKinley's support of continued flying missions at Key Field. "I believe he saw we are capable of handling more missions here."

Freeman tried to keep morale high when he told the 186th personnel, "The MC-12 project is very important and the C-27 mission will be equally viable. Our number one goal is to keep Meridian flying. So keep on doing a great job here and we'll be OK."